Chapter 10 - The King’s Table
Six months later.
The city of Chicago had returned to absolute order under the supreme, unquestioned rule of the Wolfe Syndicate. Marcus Webb’s loyalists had been completely dismantled, and Celeste had vanished into obscurity in another state, penniless and forgotten.
In the high-rent district of North Shore, sitting on twenty acres of quiet pine forest overlooking Lake Michigan, stood a magnificent new stone estate.
The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow across the broad outdoor terrace.
In the grand dining room of the estate, a massive mahogany table was set with fresh flowers, white linen, and fine silver. Sitting at the head of the table was Maya’s mother, fully recovered from her coma thanks to the world’s best specialists hired by Tristan, laughing joyfully as Lily showed her photos from her first day of university.
At the side of the terrace, looking out over the water, stood Tristan Wolfe.
He was wearing a casual grey sweater, his expression calm, peaceful, and entirely free of the dark ghosts that had once consumed his soul.
Soft footsteps sounded behind him.
Maya walked out onto the terrace, wearing a simple yellow sundress, her long hair blowing gently in the autumn breeze. She walked up beside him, resting her hands against the stone railing.
"The doctor said my mother can travel to Europe next month," Maya smiled, her hazel eyes sparkling with happiness. "I still can't believe this is real, Tristan."
Tristan turned to look at her. He reached out, his large hand gently taking her small hand into his grip, lacing their fingers together.
"It is real, Maya," Tristan said softly. "You saved my life."
Maya giggled, leaning her head against his broad shoulder. "I just brought you a six-cent bowl of rice porridge because you were coughing."
"You brought me light when I was completely dead in the dark," Tristan corrected gently, leaning down to press a soft, quiet kiss against her forehead. "And as long as I breathe, everything I own belongs to you."
May you like
Out on the quiet lake, the golden sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting its warm light over the king and the girl who had brought him back to life.
The war was over. The crown was reclaimed. And for the first time in his life, Tristan Wolfe was truly home.
